Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-String Bass – Black

The Ultimate Session Workhorse: Studio Precision Meets Pure Low-End Power

For over three decades, Nathan East’s unmistakable tone has laid down the groove on thousands of legendary recordings—from Eric Clapton and Phil Collins to Daft Punk’s "Get Lucky." The Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature 5-String Bass in Black represents the pinnacle of Yamaha’s bass craftsmanship, built from the ground up to deliver immaculate tone, effortless playability, and studio-grade tonal control.

Constructed with a 5-piece maple and premium mahogany neck-through design sandwiched between contoured maple/alder body wings, the BBNE2 provides massive natural sustain, tight low-frequency response, and zero dead spots across all 24 frets. Draped in a high-gloss deep black finish with gold hardware and mother-of-pearl tuners, this instrument exudes timeless sophistication on any stage or in any recording studio.

Nathan East "Magic Box" Active Electronics & Precision Hardware

To navigate the demands of world-class recording sessions, the BBNE2 is loaded with custom Alnico V stack humbucking pickups paired with an active 3-band preamp circuit. At the heart of its tone-shaping power is Nathan’s proprietary "Magic Box" NE-1 parametric mid-cut system, allowing you to instantly notch out muddy frequencies and dial in a mix-cutting midrange profile with the flick of a switch.

Each string is anchored by individual Yamaha BPZ-7 bridge saddles, isolating string vibration to eliminate cross-talk and maximize note clarity. Before leaving the factory, every BBNE2 undergoes Yamaha’s proprietary Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A.) treatment, relieving internal stresses in the wood and finish so the bass responds with the warmth, resonance, and playability of a well-played vintage instrument right out of the hardshell case.

Product Intelligence & Specifications:

• Best For: Session Work, Studio Recording, Pop, Funk, Jazz-Fusion, Contemporary Worship
• Tone Profile: Punchy, Articulate, Hi-Fi, Deep Low-End, Surgical Midrange Control
• Compared To: Fodera Emperor 5, Sadowsky Modern 5, Ken Smith Custom 5
• Construction: 5-Piece Maple / Mahogany Neck-Through
• Body Wood: Maple / Alder Contoured Body Wings
• Scale Length: 34" (863.6 mm)
• Fingerboard: Ebony with Figured Mother-of-Pearl Block Inlays
• Radius: 19-11/16" (500 mm) | 24 Frets
• Pickups: 2 x Custom Alnico V Stacked Humbuckers (Hum-Canceling)
• Electronics: Active 3-Band EQ, Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Mid Cut Frequency Control, Mid Cut On/Off Switch
• Bridge: Yamaha BPZ-7 Individual Machined Saddles
• Hardware Finish: Gold with Pearl Key Tuners
• Origin: Made in Japan (Yamaha Custom Shop)
• Case: Original Yamaha Form-Fit Hardshell Case Included

Controls for the electronics:

1 : Pickup Balancer
2 : Master Volume
3 : Bass
4 : Middle
5 : Treble
6 : Mid Cut Frequency
7 : Mid Cut On/Off Switch

Stock photos shown, individual color and grain will vary from guitar to guitar.